A RUUD van Nistelrooy penalty was enough to earn United all three points from a tepid clash with Middlesbrough.

The Dutch striker smashed home his first league goal of the season after a seemingly innocuous Ugo Ehiogu challenge was deemed worthy of a spot kick.

The win lifts United level with Arsenal and Liverpool on eight points, though with captain Roy Keane out for the first game in a lengthy lay-off they struggled to break out of first gear.

United did cause problems down the flanks, with Ryan Giggs' mazy runs causing alarm in the Boro backline. But they lacked their usual composure in the final third, as van Nistelrooy, Giggs and Beckham all missed chances.

And they could have paid for their misses in the second half as Boro pushed forward and would have equalised but for the profligacy of Noel Whelan, Massimo Maccarone and Joseph-Desire Job.

United, though, had chances to double their lead and Diego Forlan was again among the main culprits. The striker, who has yet to score for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, headed straight at Schwarzer when stood just six yards from goal.